Restoring the Forgotten Tradition of Canoe Making in the Pacific Territory

In October on Lifou island, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was set afloat in the turquoise waters – a small act that signified a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the maiden journey of a heritage boat on Lifou in living memory, an gathering that assembled the island’s three chiefly clans in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has spearheaded a project that aims to revive heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been constructed in an effort aimed at reconnecting local Kanak populations with their seafaring legacy. Tikoure states the boats also promote the “beginning of dialogue” around ocean rights and conservation measures.

Global Outreach

In July, he travelled to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for marine policies created in consultation with and by native populations that honor their connection to the ocean.

“Our ancestors always traveled by water. We lost that for a time,” Tikoure says. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Canoes hold deep cultural significance in New Caledonia. They once stood for mobility, exchange and clan alliances across islands, but those practices declined under foreign occupation and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

This mission began in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was exploring how to bring back traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure worked with the authorities and two years later the boat building initiative – known as Kenu Waan project – was established.

“The hardest part didn’t involve harvesting timber, it was persuading communities,” he explains.

Program Successes

The program sought to revive heritage voyaging practices, educate new craftspeople and use vessel construction to strengthen community pride and regional collaboration.

Up to now, the team has created a display, published a book and enabled the creation or repair of around 30 canoes – from the far south to the northern shoreline.

Natural Resources

In contrast to many other island territories where tree loss has reduced lumber availability, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for constructing major boats.

“Elsewhere, they often use marine plywood. Here, we can still work with whole trees,” he explains. “This creates a significant advantage.”

The boats built under the program integrate oceanic vessel shapes with Melanesian rigging.

Educational Expansion

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been teaching maritime travel and ancestral craft methods at the educational institution.

“This marks the initial occasion these subjects are included at graduate studies. It goes beyond textbooks – this is knowledge I’ve experienced. I’ve crossed oceans on these canoes. I’ve cried tears of joy doing it.”

Regional Collaboration

He traveled with the members of the Fijian vessel, the heritage craft that sailed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, through various islands, this represents a unified effort,” he states. “We’re restoring the sea together.”

Policy Advocacy

This past July, Tikoure travelled to the European location to present a “Kanak vision of the marine environment” when he conferred with Macron and other leaders.

Before state and overseas representatives, he pushed for cooperative sea policies based on Indigenous traditions and community involvement.

“We must engage them – especially people dependent on marine resources.”

Contemporary Evolution

Today, when navigators from various island nations – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – come to Lifou, they examine vessels together, modify the design and eventually navigate in unison.

“It’s not about duplicating the traditional forms, we help them develop.”

Comprehensive Vision

For Tikoure, instructing mariners and supporting ecological regulations are linked.

“The core concept concerns community participation: what permissions exist to move across the sea, and who determines which activities take place on it? Traditional vessels function as a means to begin that dialogue.”